An international arts festival, one of the celebration programs marking the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), will be held in Hong Kong from July 4 to Aug. 12.

There will be 14 performing groups from the Chinese Mainland, Singapore, India, Australia, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Italy and the United States, along with 36 local groups that will give performances such as acrobatic ballet, music, drama, puppetry, interactive theater, and a marching band parade.

Launching this year's International Arts Carnival is an acrobatic ballet Swan Lake performed by Guangdong Acrobatic Troupe of China and produced by Shanghai City Dance Company Limited. Featuring outstanding acrobatic pointe work together with spectacular stage art and costume designs, it is a re-interpretation of the renowned Russian ballet classic written by Tchaikovsky.

The carnival has three main series: "ABC, Come and See," " HeARTS Linked," and "New Generation Series."

Apart from performances, there will be workshops, school tours, exhibitions, cultural tours, Children's Fun Week, and library and museum activities, according to a press release issued Thursday by the HKSAR government.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2007)